Redistribution

Those parts of Walkerville Council in Sturt have been transferred into Adelaide, while Sturt gains Myrtlebank and parts of Fullarton from Boothby. The Liberal margin increases slightly from 3.4% to 3.6%.

Background

This electorate was created in 1949 and named after Charles Sturt, the early explorer of the Murray River. He proved that all the rivers of western NSW eventually flowed into the Murray River, and was also the first white explorer to navigate the Murray River to its mouth.

Since its creation, Sturt has only spent two terms in Labor hands, the first 1954-55 and again 1969-72. Former Liberal members include Sir Keith Wilson (1949-54, 1955-66) and his son Ian (1966-69, 1972-93), affectionately known by the nickname 'Curly'. The younger Wilson was defeated for pre-selection by the youthful and ambitious Christopher Pyne in 1993.

Pyne retained Sturt comfortably until Labor launched vigorous campaigns him at the 2007 and 2010 elections. At both elections the Liberal Party engaged in 'sandbagging', minimising the swing with intensive campaigns in marginal Boothby and Sturt, but resulting in Labor blowouts in other Adelaide seats such as Kingston, Makin and Wakefield.

2011 Census Profile

Sturt has the nation's ninth and South Australia's highest proportion of residents aged over 65 (19.7%). Of South Australian electorates, Sturt has the highest proportion stating they are Christians (62.2%) and also the highest proportion of Catholics (29.0%).

Past Voting Patterns

A naturally Liberal-leaning electorate, the gap between the Liberal 2-party vote in Sturt and South Australia as a whole narrowed in 2004 and 2007, but widened again in 2010.

2013 Ballot Paper (5 Candidates)

Candidate Name

Party

PYNE, Christopher

Liberal

BARNES, Kylie

Family First

SARRE, Rick

Australian Labor Party

SCALI, Gabriella Alexandra

Palmer United Party

WALKER, Anne

Australian Greens

Candidates

Christopher Pyne

Liberal

Aged 46, Pyne's small build, freckled face and slightly thin voice make him appear much younger in the House of Representatives. Pyne caused a stir in 1992 by winning pre-selection ahead of long time Liberal MP and party stalwart Ian 'Curly' Wilson. A former President of the South Australian Young Liberals and member of the Liberal Party State Executive, Pyne had previously been the Liberal Candidate in John Bannon's seat of Ross Smith at the 1989 state election. Pyne struggled for advancement during the years of the Howard government, generally being stymied by his factional opponents in the South Australian Liberal Party. He was finally appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary in October 2003, finally achieving a ministerial position when appointed Assistant Minister for Health and Ageing in January 2007. Two months later he became Minister for Ageing, appointed to the position when Senator Santoro left the ministry. In 2009 Pyne was surprisingly appointed Leader of Opposition Business by Malcolm Turnbull in preference to Tony Abbott, but has retained the position since Abbott became Liberal Party Leader. Has been Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training for the last five years.

Kylie Barnes

Rick Sarre

Australian Labor Party

Sarre is Professor of Law and Criminal Justice, University of South Australia, and lectures in criminal justice, policing, media law, sport law and commercial law with the School of Commerce. His qualifications include an undergraduate degree in law (Adelaide University) and religion and sociology (Graceland University, Iowa, USA). He also has post-graduate degrees in criminology (University of Toronto, Canada) and law (University of Canberra, ACT). He has also spent time with the Jesuit Refugee Service in Hong Kong and Australian Lawyers for Refugees Port Hedland in 1992. He was the Labor candidate in this seat at the 2010 election.

Gabriella Alexandra Scali

Anne Walker

Australian Greens

Walker has lived, worked, studied and raised her children in Sturt over the past 17 years. During this time, she has worked in science, health, mineral resources and finance sectors as a communications professional. She feels strongly about the importance of quality, independent journalism and is an ABC Radio National tragic.